Infamous
Behind every infamous news story is a journalist trying to hold power to account. Join reporters Vanessa Grigoriadis and Gabriel Sherman as they take an in-depth look at the most explosive scandals of this century. From high-profile divorces to sex cults to the lies that started a war, they’ll guide you through the juiciest, most outrageous, celeb-filled stories of the last two decades, and give you a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to shine an unflattering light on the world’s most powerful people.
Meltdown
How did we end up in this version of America, with neighbors divided against neighbors, and some citizens angry enough to storm the U.S. Capitol? The 2008 financial crisis - and the government’s botched, multibillion-dollar bailout - is the skeleton key that unlocks almost every big thing that’s gone wrong in America in the 21st Century, from climate change, to the all-out assault on democracy, to the rise of white nationalism. Host David Sirota explores why the financial crisis happened, how the bailout went so wrong, why politicians covered up Wall Street’s crimes and what the lasting impact of the meltdown was on America’s political, social and economic fabric.
Listen to the series here.
Doing Justice
Justice is about doing the right thing, in the right way, for the right reasons. And it's about making sure that no one is above the law. Doing Justice is a narrative podcast based on host Preet Bharara's bestselling book. Each episode grapples with urgent moral and legal questions: Should we allow an elected official to run for re-election while he’s under investigation? Can we prosecute a police officer for planning to kidnap people? It’s not always clear how justice works, so Preet Bharara, the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, takes us through each investigation, unravels a mystery, and ultimately shows us how things can be made right again.
Listen to the series here.
Tabloid Season 1: The Making of Ivanka Trump
Tabloid stories are not just guilty pleasures; they are revelatory ones, electrified by the tripwires of culture: race, class, gender, and politics. This season, a full-life inquiry into the making of Ivanka Trump, from child of very public 1980s divorce to teenage party girl and then her trophy-collecting father’s very favorite trophy. Hosted by Vanessa Grigoriadis. A production of New York Magazine & Transmitter Media.
Listen to the first season of Tabloid here.
Impostors: The Spy
For more than a decade, Wayne Simmons was a Fox News star. Every time Wayne appeared on TV, he served up extreme opinions on war and terrorism that influenced an audience of millions. His dramatic 27-year career with the CIA—taking down cartels, busting arms smugglers, conducting interrogations—gave his opinions credibility. Wayne's life as a spy led to friendships with high-ranking officials and lucrative military jobs. He was living his version of the dream… until the government he says he risked his life for branded him a fraud. But he insists his CIA career really happened. So who is Wayne Simmons? An American hero, or a liar?
Listen to the 6-part series here.
Ghost Story
When Julie Metz's husband died suddenly, she was devastated. But it wasn't long before she realized she wasn't alone. This story aired on Women of the Hour hosted by Lena Dunham, on the episode "Solitude."
In Finland: a leak, a fire, and a massive expansion of government surveillance
On a Sunday afternoon the week before Christmas, journalist Laura Halminen smashed her laptop with a hammer, causing it to spark and smoke. Her actions set off a chain of events that lead to one of the biggest debates about security and press freedom in Finnish history.
This story aired on PRI's America Abroad on the episode "Document Leaks: The consequences of revealing secrets."
The Queen Rania Tree
Ghazi Albuliwi’s parents wanted him to get married in the traditional Arab way. He thought it was a bad idea. They were about to find out who was right.
This piece originally aired on Israel Story and later on Snap Judgment.
Wardrobe Malfunction - Israel Story Live Show
At Israel's 50th independence day celebration in 1998, a controversy around a dance company's costumes led to a massive political debate that nearly brought down a government.
This is from a live performance with the podcast Israel Story. Maya Orchin choreographed and performed the dance.